Bruce Harper photo
MMS Lady Trojan seventh-grade runner Brandy Rios captured the individual district cross country championship on Oct. 25 at Beeville’s Veterans Memorial Park. Here, she’s way out front after coming from behid with 600-meters left in the race.

BEEVILLE — The Moreno Middle School eighth-grade cross country teams claimed the district titles on Thursday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Park.

“What a special group of runners we had this season, and what a way to end the season,” said MMS cross country coach Linda Luna.

The seventh-grade teams, both the boys and the girls, also ran quite well, picking up an overall third place finish in the district competition.

The seventh-grade girls were led by first place finisher Brandy Rios, the individual champ in her division. Rios ran the two-mile course in 15:16. Victoria Treviño placed fifth to also medal with a time of 15:40. The young Lady Trojans had another runner medal as Briana Gara placed eighth in 16:08. Paige Knapp was 24th in 18:55, and Erica Honzales was 42nd overall in 18:55.

The seventh-grade boys had Darshay Bowman finish ninth for a medal with a time of 15:02. Johnny Ramos was 15th in 16:57, and Blake Casarez was close by in 17th in 17:33. Van Damme De Los Reyes was 18th overall in 18:17, and Joaquin Garza placed 19th in 18:20.

The eighth-grade girls captured the championship with all five team runners in the top 11 place finishers overall. Raelynn Arrisola led the young Lady Trojans with a sixth place finish in 15:11. Natalie Rivas was eighth in 15:41, and Maria Delgado was ninth with a time of 15:43. Heaven Rodriguez was also right there with a tenth place finish in 15:48. Teammate Cameron Posada was 11th in 15:57. The eighth-grade girls have a deep squad with seven more girls running and placing well. Emily Bozant was 12th overall in 15:59, and Alyssa Silva placed 15th in 16:09. Claudia Carranco was 17th in 16:31 for the Lady Trojans. Maria Navarro was right behind her in 18th with a time of 16:44. Michaela Chavarria placed 20th in 16:53, and Alyssa Medina was 26th overall. Jasmine Lopez completed the course in 18:24 for a 27th place spot overall.

“The eighth-grade girls dominated from beginning to end. Ten of our girls were in the top 20 finishers and four were in the top ten,” said Luna.

The eighth-grade boys got a second place finish from Derrick Carroll with a time of 12:42. Andrew Gutierrez was close by in third at 13:08. Marco Escamilla placed ninth to also medal with a good time of 13:45. Kevin Montiel was 17th for the Trojans in 14:50, and Aaron Puga placed 21st in 15:25.

“I am very proud of this season’s group of cross country runners. Dedication and hard work all pay off, and they will tell you it does,” Luna said.

Bruce Harper is the sports editor at the Bee-Picayune and can be reached at 358-2550, ext. 123, or at sports@mySouTex.com.